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U.S. Department of Treasury Designates the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security Pursuant to Anti-Terrorism Authority

February 16, 2012

Amid the deteriorating diplomatic relationship between the United States and Iran, on February 16, 2012, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced the designation of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) for its support to terrorist groups, perpetration of human rights abuses against Iranian citizens and its role in supporting the Syrian regime's crackdown against the people of Syria. The designation was made pursuant to three separate Executive Orders (E.O.): (1) E.O. 13224 for MOIS' support to Hizballah, Hamas and al Qaida; (2) E.O. 13572 for MOIS' support for the Syrian government's brutal repression of the Syrian people; and (3) E.O. 13553 for MOIS' role in the commission of human rights abuses against the people of Iran since the highly controversial 2009 Iranian presidential elections.

"Today we have designated the MOIS for abusing the basic human rights of Iranian citizens and exporting its vicious practices to support the Syrian regime's abhorrent crackdown on its own population," said David Cohen, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. The designation was also the result of MOIS' support to terrorist groups, including al Qaida, al Qaida in Iraq, Hamas and Hizballah, "exposing the extent of Iran's sponsorship of terrorism as a matter of Iranian state policy."

As a result of this designation, any property or property interests in the United States or in the control of U.S. persons in which MOIS has an interest are blocked. U.S. persons are also prohibited from engaging in transactions with MOIS.

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